Brushless DC motor power tool with combined PCB design

ABSTRACT

A power tool with a combined printed circuit board (PCB) that reduces internal wiring of the power tool and provides a large amount of air flow to internal components. In some instances, the combined PCB has a surfboard shape and includes a motor control unit and power switching elements (Field Effect Transistors or FETs). The combined surfboard PCB is located above the trigger, but below the motor and drive mechanism. In other instances, the combined PCB has a doughnut shape and is located coaxially with a motor shaft. The combined PCB may be positioned between a doughnut-shaped control PCB and the motor.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application61/651,137, filed May 24, 2012, and U.S. Provisional Application No.61/684,982, filed Aug. 20, 2012, the entire contents of each of whichare hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to brushless motor power tools.

BACKGROUND

Power tool motors can generally be grouped into two categories: brushedmotors and brushless motors. In a brushed motor, motor brushes make andbreak electrical connection to the motor due to rotation of the rotor.In a brushless motor power tool, such as power tool 100 of FIG. 1,switching elements are selectively enabled and disabled by controlsignals from a controller to selectively apply power from a power sourceto drive the brushless motor. The power tool 100 is a brushless hammerdrill having a housing 102 with a handle portion 104 and motor housingportion 106. The power tool 100 further includes an output unit 107,torque setting dial 108, forward/reverse selector 110, trigger 112,battery interface 114, and light 116.

FIG. 2 illustrates a simplified block diagram 120 of the brushless powertool 100, which includes a power source 122 (e.g., a battery pack),Field Effect Transistors (FETs) 124, a motor 126, hall sensors 128, amotor control unit 130, user input 132, and other components 133(battery pack fuel gauge, work lights (LEDs), current/voltage sensors,etc.). The Hall sensors 128 provide motor information feedback, such asmotor rotational position information, which can be used by the motorcontrol unit 130 to determine motor position, velocity, and/oracceleration. The motor control unit 130 receives user controls fromuser input 132, such as by depressing the trigger 112 or shifting theforward/reverse selector 110. In response to the motor informationfeedback and user controls, the motor control unit 130 transmits controlsignals to accurately control the FETs 124 to drive the motor 126. Byselectively enabling and disabling the FETs 124, power from the powersource 122 is selectively applied to the motor 126 to cause rotation ofa rotor. Although not shown, the motor control unit 130 and othercomponents of the power tool 100 are electrically coupled to the powersource 122 such that the power source 122 provides power thereto.

SUMMARY

The connections shown between components of the power tool 100 aresimplified in FIG. 2. In practice, the wiring of the power tool 100 ismore complex, as the components of a brushless power tool areinterconnected by several wires for power and control signals. Forinstance, each FET of the FETs 124 is separately connected to the motorcontrol unit 130 by a control line; each FET of the FETs 124 isconnected to terminal of the motor 126; the power line from the powersource to the FETs 124 includes a positive wire and a negative/groundwire; etc. Additionally, the power wires can have a large gauge/diameterto handle increased current, further occupying limited space within thepower tool housing 102.

In sum, the various interconnections between components of a brushlesspower tool can lead to a complex wiring situation within the power toolhousing, which has limited space for such wiring.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to the component layout ofpower tools having brushless motors. More particularly, embodimentsrelate to the positioning of various printed circuit boards andelectronics of a brushless power tool within a housing of the powertool. The layout of power tools includes several design considerations,such as size, weight, and shape to ensure comfortable operation of thetool by a user. An efficient layout of components and wiring of abrushless power tool enables a more compact power tool, simplified toolassembly, improved thermal control (e.g., due to improved air flow), andother benefits.

In one embodiment, the invention provides a power tool including ahousing and a brushless direct current (DC) motor within the housing.The brushless DC motor includes a rotor and a stator, wherein the rotoris coupled to a motor shaft to produce a rotational output. The powertool further includes a heat sink secured to an end of the brushless DCmotor and a combined printed circuit board (PCB) having a Hall sensor,power switching elements, and a through-hole. The combined PCB issecured to the heat sink, and the motor shaft extends through thethrough-hole of the heat sink. The power tool also includes a controlPCB having a motor control unit that receives motor positionalinformation from the Hall sensor and controls the power switchingelements to drive the brushless DC motor.

In another embodiment the invention provides a power tool including ahousing and a brushless direct current (DC) motor within the housing.The brushless DC motor includes a rotor and a stator, wherein the rotoris coupled to a motor shaft to produce a rotational output. The powertool further includes an output unit coupled to the motor shaft toproviding the rotational output outside of the housing, a combinedprinted circuit board (PCB), and a control PCB. The combined PCBincludes a Hall sensor, power switching elements, and a through-hole,wherein the combined PCB is positioned between the brushless DC motorand the output unit and wherein the motor shaft extends through thethrough-hole. The control PCB includes a motor control unit thatreceives motor positional information from the Hall sensor and controlsthe power switching elements to drive the brushless DC motor.

In another embodiment the invention provides a power tool including ahousing having a handle portion and a motor housing portion, and abrushless direct current (DC) motor within the motor housing portion.The brushless DC motor includes a rotor and a stator, wherein the rotoris coupled to a motor shaft to produce a rotational output. The powertool also includes a combined printed circuit board (PCB) havingcomponents exposed within the housing including a motor control unit andpower switching elements. The combined PCB is positioned between thehandle portion and the brushless DC motor, and the motor control unitcontrols the power switching elements to drive the brushless DC motor.The power tool further includes a fan positioned on a rear end of thebrushless DC motor. The fan is rotatable by the brushless DC motor togenerate a cooling air flow within the housing to cool the components ofthe combined PCB.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration ofthe detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a brushless power tool.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a brushless power tool.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 4 provide additional view of the brushless power toolof FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates a Hall sensor board.

FIGS. 6-7 illustrate a brushless power tool having a combined surfboardPCB.

FIGS. 8A-C provide additional views of the combined surfboard PCB.

FIGS. 9-11 illustrate another brushless power tool having a combinedsurfboard PCB.

FIGS. 12-14 illustrate another brushless power tool having a combinedsurfboard PCB.

FIG. 15 illustrates a brushless power tool having a combined doughnutPCB.

FIGS. 16A-B show the combined doughnut PCB of the power tool of FIG. 15.

FIGS. 17A-B show a combined Hall and FET PCB of the power tool of FIG.15.

FIGS. 18A-B show a combined control PCB of the PCB stack.

FIGS. 19A-G illustrate a process for attaching a Hall and FET PCB andheat sink to a brushless motor.

FIG. 20 illustrates a wire wrap technique for a brushless motor.

FIG. 21 illustrates another combined Hall sensor and FET PCB for usewith a brushless power tool.

FIGS. 22A-C illustrate alternative locations for a control PCB on thebrushless power tool of FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and the arrangement of components set forthin the following description or illustrated in the following drawings.The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orof being carried out in various ways.

FIG. 3A illustrates a cross section of the brushless power tool 100 ofFIG. 1, and FIG. 3B illustrates select components of the power tool 100.The power tool 100 includes separate printed circuit boards (PCBs) forvarious components of the power tool 100. More particularly, the powertool 100 includes a control printed circuit board (PCB) 136, a power PCB138, a forward/reverse PCB 140, a Hall sensor PCB 142, and alight-emitting diode (LED) PCB 144. Also illustrated in FIG. 3A is adrive mechanism 148 for transmitting the rotational output of the motor126 to the output unit 107, and a cooling fan 149 rotated by the motor126 and used to provide a cooling air flow over components of the powertool 100.

As shown in FIG. 4, the control PCB 136 is positioned at the base of thetool 100 between the handle portion 104 and the battery interface 114,which may also be referred to as a terminal block portion. The controlPCB 136 includes the motor control unit 130, which is operable toreceive user input, to receive motor information feedback, and tocontrol the FETs 124 to drive the motor 126. The control PCB 136 iselectrically and physically coupled to terminal blades 150. When abattery pack (i.e., the power source 122) is coupled to the batteryinterface 114, terminals of the battery pack are received by andelectrically coupled to the terminal blades 150. The number of terminalblades can vary based on the type of hand-held power tool. However, asan illustrative example, terminal blades 150 can include a batterypositive (“B+”) terminal, a battery negative (“B−”) terminal, a sense orcommunication terminal, and an identification terminal. As shown in FIG.4, the terminal blades 150 have tabs 152 that extend upward through thecontrol PCB 136. The tabs 152 may be directly soldered to the controlPCB 136, eliminating the need for additional power wires. The motorcontrol unit may use the communication terminal to communicate with abattery pack, allowing the battery pack to communicate whether it iscapable of discharging to the power tool 100 and other information.

The power PCB 138 includes the FETs 124, which are connected to andcontrolled by the motor control unit 130 of the control PCB 136. Asdiscussed above, the FETs 124 are also electrically coupled to the powersource 122 and the motor 126. In some embodiments, the FETs 124 aredirectly coupled (i.e., directly physically and/or thermally coupled) tothe heat sink 154 (e.g., directly on the heat sink, via copper tracingson the power PCB 138, etc.). In other embodiments, the FETs 124 are notdirectly coupled to the heat sink 154, but are in a heat transferrelationship with the heat sink 154.

The forward/reverse PCB 140 includes a forward/reverse switch that isoperated by the forward/reverse selector 110, which has three positions:forward, reverse, and neutral. The positions may be shifted between bymoving the forward/reverse selector/shuttle 110 in a direction normal tothe plane of the drawing of FIG. 1 (i.e., in/out of the page). When theforward/reverse selector 110 is shifted between these three positions,the selector 110 switches the forward/reverse switch of theforward/reverse PCB 140, which provides a signal to the motor controlunit 130. When the trigger 112 is depressed, the motor control unit 130causes the motor 126 to rotate clockwise, rotate counterclockwise, ornot rotate (e.g., in neutral) based on the position of the selector 110.

The Hall sensor PCB 142 includes hall sensors 128 to detect one or moreof the rotational position, velocity, and acceleration of the motor 126.The Hall sensor PCB 142 is electrically coupled to the control PCB 136to provide the outputs of the Hall sensors 128. As shown in FIGS. 3B and5, the Hall sensor PCB 142 includes a through-hole 156 through which amotor shaft/spindle 158 passes. Each Hall sensor 128 outputs a pulsewhen magnet of the rotor rotates across the face of that Hall sensor128. Based on the timing of the pulses from the Hall sensors 128, themotor control unit 130 can determine the position, velocity, andacceleration of the rotor. The motor control unit 130, in turn, uses themotor feedback information to control the FETs 124.

The light-emitting element (LED) PCB 144 includes the light 116, whichmay be a light emitting diode (LED). The LED PCB 144 is electricallycoupled to the control PCB 136 such that the motor control unit 130 isoperable to selectively enable and disable the light 116. The motorcontrol unit 130 may enable the light 116 when the trigger 112 isdepressed and/or when a separate light switch on the housing 102 isactivated by the user to selectively enable/disable the light 116independent of the trigger 112. The motor control unit 130 may furtherinclude a delay timer such that the light 116 remains illuminated for aperiod of time after the trigger 112 or light switch is depressed orreleased.

The motor control unit 130 is implemented by the control PCB 136, whichincludes motor control unit 130 includes combinations of hardware andsoftware that control operation of the power tool 100. For example, thecontrol PCB 136 includes, among other things, a processing unit (e.g., amicroprocessor, a microcontroller, or another suitable programmabledevice), a memory, input units, and output units. The processing unitincludes, among other things, a control unit, an arithmetic logic unit(“ALU”), and a plurality of registers, and is implemented using a knowncomputer architecture, such as a modified Harvard architecture, a vonNeumann architecture, etc. The processing unit, the memory, the inputunits, and the output units, as well as the various modules connected toor part of the control PCB 136 are connected by one or more controland/or data buses. In some embodiments, the control PCB 136 isimplemented partially or entirely on a semiconductor (e.g., afield-programmable gate array [“FPGA”] semiconductor) chip, such as achip developed through a register transfer level (“RTL”) design process.

The memory of the control PCB 136 includes, for example, a programstorage area and a data storage area. The program storage area and thedata storage area can include combinations of different types of memory,such as read-only memory (“ROM”), random access memory (“RAM”) (e.g.,dynamic RAM [“DRAM”], synchronous DRAM [“SDRAM”], etc.), electricallyerasable programmable read-only memory (“EEPROM”), flash memory, a harddisk, an SD card, or other suitable magnetic, optical, physical, orelectronic memory devices. The processing unit is connected to thememory and executes software instructions that are capable of beingstored in a RAM of the memory (e.g., during execution), a ROM of thememory (e.g., on a generally permanent basis), or another non-transitorycomputer readable medium such as another memory or a disc. Softwareincluded in the implementation of the battery pack can be stored in thememory of the controller. The software includes, for example, firmware,one or more applications, program data, filters, rules, one or moreprogram modules, and other executable instructions. The processing unitis configured to retrieve from memory and execute, among other things,instructions related to the control of the battery pack describedherein. The processing unit can also store various battery packparameters and characteristics (including battery pack nominal voltage,chemistry, battery cell characteristics, maximum allowed dischargecurrent, maximum allowed temperature, etc.). In other constructions, thecontrol PCB 136 includes additional, fewer, or different components.

The motor control unit 130 may further be in communication with one ormore sensors to monitor temperature, voltage, current, etc., of thepower tool 100 and an attached battery pack. The motor control unit 130may also include protection capabilities based on a variety of preset orcalculated fault condition values related to temperatures, currents,voltages, etc., associated with the operation of the hand-held powertool.

The various interconnections of the power tool 100 between the controlPCB 136, the power PCB 138, the forward/reverse PCB 140, the Hall sensorPCB 142, and the light-emitting element (LED) PCB 144 can lead to acomplex and space-consuming wiring layout within the housing 102.

FIGS. 6-7 illustrate a brushless power tool 200, which has similaritiesto power tool 100, but has a different electronics layout. The layout ofpower tool 200 has reduced wiring and assembly complexity relative tothe power tool 100. Additionally, the more compact and efficient layoutof the power tool 200 enables additional flexibility in design, such asby allowing different handle and body dimensions and shapes. Elements ofthe power tool 200 similar to those of the power tool 100 are similarlynumbered to simplify the description thereof.

Rather than a separate control PCB 136, power PCB 138, forward/reversePCB 140, and LED PCB 144, the power tool 200 includes a combinedsurfboard PCB 202 incorporating the functionality of each. The combinedsurfboard PCB 202 includes the FETs 124 of the power PCB 138, the light116 of the LED PCB 144, the motor control unit 130 of the control PCB136, and a forward/reverse switch 203 of the forward/reverse PCB 140(see FIG. 8C). Accordingly, in place of wires running through thehousing 102 to interconnect the various PCBs, the connections are madevia conductors on the combined surfboard PCB 202.

As illustrated, the combined surfboard PCB 202 has an elongated shape,with a length more than twice its width. The combined surfboard PCB 202has a rear portion adjacent to the motor 126 and a front portionadjacent to a trigger 112. The Hall sensor PCB 142 is positioned aboveand generally perpendicularly (i.e., within 15 degrees of aperpendicular) to the combined surfboard PCB 202).

Moreover, the combined surfboard PCB 202 is positioned near the fan 149,such that cooling air flow 204 passes over the FETs 124 and othercomponents of the combined surfboard PCB 202. The fan 149 operates todraw the cooling air flow 204 from the combined surfboard PCB 202towards the fan 149, or, as illustrated, to push the cooling air flow204 from the fan 149 over the combined surfboard PCB 202. Furthermore,air inlets and outlets are formed on the housing 102 to provide an inletand outlet path for the cooling air flow 204.

The components of the combined surfboard PCB 202 are exposed. In otherwords, the combined surfboard PCB 202 is not encapsulated or pottedwithin the housing 102 and is not protected against fluid within thehousing 102 from reaching the FETs 124 or motor control unit 130.Exposing the combined surfboard PCB 202 improves the thermal managementof the components thereon. For example, the cooling air flow 204 isoperable to reach and cool the FETs 124, enabling the FETs 124 tooperate at higher current levels and the motor 126 to operate at higherpower levels and generate higher torque for longer periods of time.

As shown in FIGS. 8A-C, the FETs 124 are mounted in a generally flatorientation on the combined surfboard PCB 202. In contrast, the FETs 124of the power tool 100 are mounted on the power PCB 138 in aperpendicular orientation. The combined surfboard PCB 202 also hasmounted thereon a heat sink 206 on a side opposite of the FETs 124 toprovide cooling of the FETs 124. The heat sink 206 is thermally coupledto the FETs 124 and includes heat sink fins 208 to improve the heatsinking capabilities of the heat sink 206. In some instances, one ormore additional heat sinks are positioned on the same side as the FETs124, such that the FETs 124 and the combined surfboard PCB 202 arelocated between the heat sink 206 and the one or more additional heatsinks. The one or more additional heat sinks are thermally coupled tothe FETs 124 to provide additional thermal management. A front portion209 of the bottom surface of the combined surfboard PCB 202 includes thelight 116 and the forward/reverse switch 203 mounted thereon. The FETs124 are mounted on a rear portion 210 of the bottom surface of thecombined surfboard PCB 202. The heat sink 206 is mounted on the rearportion 210 of the top surface of the combined surfboard PCB 202. TheHall sensor PCB 142 is above the surfboard PCB 202 and, taken together,generally form an upside-down “T” shape.

Additionally, the combined surfboard PCB 202 is centrally located withinthe power tool 200 above the trigger 112, but below the motor 126 anddrive mechanism 148. FIG. 7 illustrates a region 211 considered abovethe trigger 112 and below the motor 126. “Below the motor” does notrequire that the combined surfboard PCB 202 be directly below the motor126, but, rather, below a line extending parallel to the bottom surfaceof the motor 126. Accordingly, a shortened combined surfboard PCB 202that does not extend rearward in the tool 200 such that it is, in part,directly under the motor 126 as shown in FIG. 7 can still be considered“below the motor.” Similarly, “above the trigger” does not require thatthe combined surfboard PCB 202 be directly above the trigger, but,rather, within the region 211.

The central location allows relatively short wire connections betweenseveral components of the power tool 200. Furthermore, the exposed,unencapsulated nature of the combined surfboard PCB 202 further enablesmore flexibility in connection points to components thereon. That is,wires can reach components of the combined surfboard PCB 202 generallydirectly, rather than through limited ingress/egress ports of anencapsulation housing, allowing shorter and more direct wireconnections. More particularly, the combined surfboard PCB 202 is nearthe Hall sensor PCB 142, the light 116, the trigger 112, theforward/reverse switch 203, and terminals of the motor 126. Forinstance, FIG. 8A illustrates the short wires 212 connecting the Hallsensor PCB 142 and the combined surfboard PCB 202. The wires 212 may beflexible or rigid and are connected generally at a middle portion of thecombined surfboard PCB 202. Additionally, as shown, the wires 212 have alength less than a diameter of the motor 126, less than one-fourth ofthe length of the combined surfboard PCB 202, and less than a diameterof the Hall sensor PCB 142. Although a top surface of the combinedsurfboard PCB 202 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis ofthe motor shaft 158, the combined surfboard PCB 202 is angled slightlydownward with respect to the motor shaft 158 from the motor side to theoutput side of the power tool 200. As illustrated in FIG. 6-7, thecombined surfboard PCB 202 has a slight downward angle of less than 5degrees with respect to the motor shaft 158.

In some embodiments, the forward/reverse selector 110 includes a magnetmounted therein and the combined surfboard PCB 202 includes aforward/reverse Hall sensor (not shown) in place of the forward/reverseswitch 203. The forward/reverse Hall sensor detects movement of theembedded magnet when the forward/reverse selector 110 is moved, and asignal indicating the position or movement of the forward/reverseselector 110 is provided to the motor control unit 130.

The combined surfboard PCB 202 includes an exemplary component layout.In some embodiments, various components, such as one or more of the FETs124, are mounted on a different portion of the combined surfboard PCB202 (e.g., top instead of bottom surface, front instead of rear portion,etc.).

In some embodiments, the power tool 200 is a (non-hammer) drill/driverpower tool that includes a similar electronics layout, housing, motor,etc., but includes a different drive mechanism 148 having no hammermechanism.

FIGS. 9-11 illustrate a brushless impact wrench power tool 250 includingan impact output unit 252. The impact wrench is another type ofhand-held power tool used for generating rotational output, but includesan impact mechanism 254 that differs from the hammer-style drivemechanism 148 of the power tools 100 and 200.

The power tool 250 includes a similar layout as the power tool 200. Moreparticularly, the power tool 250 includes a housing 256 with a handleportion 258 and motor housing portion 260. The motor housing portion 260houses a motor 126 and is positioned above the handle portion 258. Thehandle portion 258 includes the battery interface 114 for coupling to abattery pack. Additionally, the power tool 250 includes the combinedsurfboard PCB 202 and Hall sensor PCB 142. The layout of power tool 250has reduced wiring and assembly complexity relative to the power tool100. Additionally, the more compact and efficient layout of the powertool 250 enables additional flexibility in design, such as by allowingdifferent handle and body dimensions and shapes. Elements of the powertool 250 similar to those of the power tools 100 and 250 are similarlynumbered to simplify the description thereof.

FIGS. 12-14 illustrate a brushless impact driver power tool 270including an impact output unit 272. The impact driver power tool 270 isanother type of hand-held power tool used for generating rotationaloutput that includes an impact mechanism 274 similar to the impactmechanism 254. Additionally, the power tool 270 includes a clip 276 forhanging the power tool 270 on various items, such as on a hook or toolbelt.

The power tool 270 includes a similar layout as the power tools 200 and250. More particularly, the power tool 270 includes a housing 278 with ahandle portion 280 and motor housing portion 282. The motor portion 282houses a motor 126 and is positioned above the handle portion 280. Thehandle portion 280 includes the battery interface 114 for coupling to abattery pack. Additionally, the power tool 270 includes the combinedsurfboard PCB 202 and Hall sensor PCB 142. The layout of power tool 270has reduced wiring and assembly complexity relative to the power tool100. Additionally, the more compact and efficient layout of the powertool 270 enables additional flexibility in design, such as by allowingdifferent handle and body dimensions and shapes. Elements of the powertool 270 similar to those of the power tools 100 and 270 are similarlynumbered to simplify the description thereof.

Although the physical layout of the combined surfboard PCB 202 may begenerally similar for each of the power tools 200, 250, and 270, theparticular software and hardware of the motor control unit 130 andratings of electrical components and FETs 124 may vary and be optimizedfor each tool.

FIG. 15 illustrates another brushless impact wrench power tool 300including the impact output unit 252 and impact mechanism 254, andhaving a battery pack 301 attached to the battery interface 114.Elements of the power tool 300 similar to the previously described powertools are similarly numbered to simplify the description thereof.

The layout of power tool 300, like that of the power tools 200, 250, and270, has reduced wiring complexity and reduced costs relative to thepower tool 100. However, the power tool 300 has a different PCB layoutin that the combined surfboard PCB 202 is not included. Rather, thecomponents of the combined surfboard PCB 202 are positioned on(generally) doughnut-shaped PCBs near the motor. Separate PCBs similarto the LED PCB 144 and forward/reverse PCB 140 may be provided in thepower tool 300 for inclusion and support of the light 116 and switch203, respectively.

More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 16A-B, the power tool 300 includesa Hall and FET PCB 302 and a control PCB 304 stacked on the motor 126and having a hole through which the motor shaft 158 passes. The Hall andFET PCB 302 is kept separated from the control PCB 304 by spacers 305.The Hall and FET PCB 302 includes the Hall sensors 128 and the FETs 124,while the control PCB 304 includes the motor control unit 130.Additionally, a heat sink 306, also with a generally doughnut or ringshape, is secured between the Hall and FET PCB 302 and the motor 126.The heat sink 306 is generally used to transfer heat away from the FETs124.

FIGS. 17A-B illustrate the Hall and FET PCB 302 in greater detail. TheHall and FET PCB 302 has a generally circular shape with a through-hole308 in the center. A motor shaft 158, as well as a motor bushing 309(see, e.g., FIG. 21), pass through the through-hole 308. The Hall andFET PCB 302 has two generally flat mounting surfaces: a first face 310(see FIG. 17A) and a second face 312 (see FIG. 17B). The FETs 124 aremounted on the Hall and FET PCB 302 in a flat orientation. Similarly,the control PCB 304 has a through-hole 314 and two generally flatmounting surfaces: a first face 316 (see FIG. 18A) and a second face 318(see FIG. 18B). The control PCB 304 further includes control PCBmounting holes 319. The control PCB 304 and Hall and FET PCB 302 arelocated coaxially about the motor shaft 158 and the faces 310, 312, 316,and 318 are generally parallel to each other. The PCBs 302 and 304 aresecured to an end of the motor 126. By locating FETs 124 with Hallsensors 128 on a single Hall and FET PCB 302 secured to the end of themotor 126, the Hall and FET PCB 302 is able to receive a large amount ofair flow 204 for cooling in addition to reducing the internal wiring ofthe power tool 300.

The Hall and FET PCB 302 further includes Hall and FET PCB mountingholes 320, motor lead pads 322, and copper bus bars 324. The copper busbars 324 allow for additional space on the Hall and FET PCB 302 to beused for other features such as high current traces. Accordingly, ratherthan occupying space on the Hall and FET PCB 302, the copper bus bars324 jump above the Hall and FET PCB 302. In alternative embodiments,traces on the Hall and FET PCB 302 are used instead of the copper busbars 324.

The Hall and FET PCB mounting holes 320 allow metal standoffs 305 (seeFIG. 16A-B) of the heat sink 306 to pass through the Hall and FET PCB302. The metal standoffs 305 provide spacing between the PCBs 302 and304 and allow the control PCB 304 to be attached to the heat sink 306.The metal standoffs 305 receive control PCB mounting screws insertedthrough mounting holes 319 of the control PCB 304 to secure the controlPCB 304 to the heat sink 306. In some embodiments, the control PCBmounting screws secure both the control PCB 304 and the Hall and FET PCB302 to the heat sink 306.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, Hall and FET PCB mounting holes 320may be used for both allowing metal standoffs 305 of the heat sink 306to pass through the Hall and FET PCB 302 and for securing the Hall andFET PCB 302 to the heat sink 306. Tightly securing the Hall and FET PCB302 to the heat sink 306 allows for heat to dissipate from the Hall andFET PCB 302 to the heat sink 306 more easily and minimizes vibrationbetween the Hall and FET PCB 302 and the motor 126. In other embodimentsof the invention, the number of mounting holes 319 and 320 and theirlocation on the PCBs 302 and 304 are varied. Furthermore, in otherembodiments, the general shape of the PCBs 302 and 304 is varied.

FIGS. 19A-G illustrate a process for attaching the motor 126, Hall andFET PCB 302, and heat sink 306 together. FIG. 19A illustrates a motorstator 330 of the motor 126 with plastic end caps 332 and 334 at eachend of the motor stator 330, respectively, and six motor leads 336 thatare stripped down to the plastic end cap 334. Wire support features 338are part of the plastic end cap 334 and will be used to properly guidethe motor leads 336, as explained below. FIG. 19B illustrates the heatsink 306 placed on the plastic end cap 334 of the motor stator 330. Themetal standoffs 305 of the heat sink 306 may be used for mounting thecontrol PCB 304 and/or locating the Hall and FET PCB 302 in someembodiments.

FIG. 19C illustrates the heat sink 306 fastened to the motor stator 330using heat sink mounting screws 340. Heat sink mounting clips 342 areattached to an end of the motor stator 330 opposite the end where theheat sink 306 is attached. The heat sink mounting screws 340 arethreadingly engaged with heat sink mounting standoffs of the heat sink306 and the heat sink mounting clips 342 to secure the heat sink 306 tothe motor stator 330. In some embodiments the number and location ofheat sink mounting elements are varied.

After securing the heat sink 306, the motor leads 336 are then bentdownward to fit within the wire support features 338 as shown in FIG.19D. Wrapping the motor leads 336 around the wire support features 338relieves strain on the motor leads 336 before they are soldered to theHall and FET PCB 302. In some embodiments, glue can also be applied tothe motor leads 336 to secure them to the heat sink 306.

FIG. 19E illustrates a heat sink pad 344 placed on top of the heat sink306. The heat sink pad 344 is a thin, electrical insulator with highthermal conductivity. These characteristics allow the heat sink pad 306to electrically isolate the metal heat sink 306 from the Hall and FETPCB 302 while still allowing heat from the Hall and FET PCB 302 todissipate via the heat sink 306.

FIG. 19F illustrates the Hall and FET PCB 302 placed on top of the heatsink pad 344 and heat sink 306. The motor leads 336 align with theopenings of the motor lead pads 322, and the metal standoffs 305 of theheat sink 306 pass through the Hall and FET PCB mounting holes 320. Toensure contact between the Hall and FET PCB 302 and the heat sink 306,downward force is applied to the Hall and FET PCB 302.

As illustrated in FIG. 19G, the motor leads 336 are soldered to themotor lead pads 322 to create solder joints 345, which not onlyelectrically connect the motor leads 336 to the Hall and FET PCB 302,but also mechanically attach the two components together. After creatingthe solder joints 345, the motor leads 336 are cut near the motor leadpads 322. As described above, in addition to the solder joints 345, theHall and FET PCB 302 can be secured to the heat sink 306 (which issecured to the motor 126) using Hall and FET PCB mounting screws.

After securing the Hall and FET PCB 302 to the motor 126 and heat sink306 combination, the control PCB 304 is then secured to the heat sink306 with the Hall and FET PCB 302 positioned between the heat sink 306and the control PCB 304. The control PCB 304 is secured to the heat sink306 using control PCB mounting screws received by the standoffs 305.

FIG. 20 illustrates the end of the motor stator 330 opposite from theend having the Hall and FET PCB 302. This view of the motor stator 330illustrates a wire crossover design, which wraps a wire behind theplastic end cap 332. Wrapping the wires of the motor stator 330 aroundthe plastic end cap 332 allows them to travel 180 degrees from one poleto the opposite pole of the motor stator 330 in an efficient manner. Thewrapped wires 346 are on top of a ledge portion 348, which wraps aroundthe motor stator 330, and are radially outside of tab portions 349 thatextend up from the ledge portion 348. As illustrated, at no point arethree wires located at the same circumferential position and stackedalong the ledge portion 348. Rather, at most, two wires are stacked,allowing a reduced height of the tab portions 349 and overall length ofthe motor stator 330.

In some embodiments, the control PCB 304 is not located adjacent to theHall and FET PCB 302 about the motor shaft 158, and the metal standoffs305 do not pass through the Hall and FET PCB 302. Rather, the length ofthe metal standoffs 305 is reduced such that they terminate at thesurface of the Hall and FET PCB 302. The reduced metal standoffs 305,which no longer provide spacing functionality, then receive Hall and FETPCB mounting screws to secure the Hall and FET PCB 302 to the heat sink306 and motor 126 combination, as shown in FIG. 21.

In embodiments in which the control PCB 304 is not located adjacent tothe Hall and FET PCB 302, the control PCB 304 may be referred to as thecontrol PCB 304 a. The control PCB 304 a may be located in severallocations within the power tool 300. The Hall and FET PCB 302 is coupledto the control PCB 304 a via cable connector 350 and a ribbon cable (notshown).

FIGS. 22A-C illustrate exemplary locations within the power tool 300that the control PCB 304 a may be positioned. In FIG. 22A, similar tothe power PCB 138 of the power tool 100, the control PCB 304 a islocated in the handle portion 258 of the power tool 300. In FIG. 22B,similar to the combined surfboard PCB 202, the control PCB 304 a islocated above the trigger 112 and handle portion 258, but below themotor 126 and impact mechanism 254. In FIG. 22C, similar to the controlPCB 136 of the power tool 100, the control PCB 304 a is located belowthe handle portion 258 and above the battery interface 114.

Although FIGS. 15-22 are described with respect to an impact wrenchpower tool 300, the various layout and motor assembly described may beimplemented in other types of power tools, such as a non-hammerdrill/driver power tool, a hammer drill/driver power tool (see, e.g.,FIGS. 1-9) and an impact driver power tool (see, e.g., FIGS. 12-14).

The above power tools (e.g., power tools 200, 250, 270, and 300) aredescribed as cordless, battery-powered tools. The battery packs, such asbattery pack 301, used to power these power tools may be, for instance,18 volt lithium ion type battery packs, although battery packs withother battery chemistries, shapes, voltage levels, etc. may be used inother embodiments. In some embodiments, these power tools are corded,AC-powered tools. For instance, in place of the battery interface 114and battery pack, the power tools include an AC power cord coupled to atransformer block to condition and transform the AC power for use by thecomponents of the power tools. These AC-powered tools may also includeone of the above-described layouts including one of the combinedsurfboard PCB layouts and doughnut PCB layouts.

Thus, the invention provides, among other things, a layout design andassembly of brushless power tools. Various features and advantages ofthe invention are set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A power tool comprising: a housing; a brushlessdirect current (DC) motor within the housing and having a rotor and astator, wherein the rotor is coupled to a motor shaft to produce arotational output; a heat sink secured to an end of the brushless DCmotor; a combined printed circuit board (PCB) having a Hall sensor,power switching elements, and a through-hole, wherein the combined PCBis coupled to the heat sink, and wherein the motor shaft extends throughthe through-hole; and a control PCB having a motor control unit thatreceives motor positional information from the Hall sensor and controlsthe power switching elements to drive the brushless DC motor, whereinthe control PCB is secured to the heat sink and has a secondthrough-hole through which the motor shaft extends.
 2. The power tool ofclaim 1, wherein the heat sink has a third through-hole through whichthe motor shaft extends.
 3. The power tool of claim 1, wherein thecontrol PCB is located in one of a terminal block portion of the toolbelow a handle portion of the tool, the handle portion, and a locationabove a trigger of the power tool and below the brushless DC motor. 4.The power tool of claim 1, wherein the power tool is one of a hammerdrill/driver, a drill/driver, an impact driver, and an impact wrench. 5.The power tool of claim 1, further comprising a fan positioned at a rearend opposite the end of the brushless DC motor to which the heat sink issecured, wherein the fan is rotatable by the brushless DC motor togenerate a cooling air flow within a housing of the power tool.
 6. Apower tool comprising: a housing; a brushless direct current (DC) motorwithin the housing and having a rotor and a stator, wherein the rotor iscoupled to a motor shaft to produce a rotational output; an output unitcoupled to the motor shaft to provide the rotational output outside ofthe housing; a combined printed circuit board (PCB) having a Hallsensor, power switching elements, and a through-hole, wherein thecombined PCB is positioned between the brushless DC motor and the outputunit and wherein the motor shaft extends through the through-hole; and acontrol PCB having a motor control unit that receives motor positionalinformation from the Hall sensor and controls the power switchingelements to drive the brushless DC motor.
 7. The power tool of claim 6,wherein the control PCB has a second through-hole through which themotor shaft extends.
 8. The power tool of claim 6, wherein the controlPCB is located in one of a terminal block portion of the tool below ahandle portion of the tool, the handle portion, and a location above atrigger of the power tool and below the brushless DC motor.
 9. The powertool of claim 6, wherein a heat sink is positioned between brushless DCmotor and the combined PCB.
 10. The power tool of claim 9, wherein theheat sink has a third through-hole through which the motor shaftextends.
 11. The power tool of claim 6, further comprising a fanpositioned at a rear end of the brushless DC motor opposite the combinedPCB, wherein the fan is rotatable by the brushless DC motor to generatea cooling air flow within the housing.
 12. The power tool of claim 6,wherein the power tool is one of a hammer drill/driver, a drill/driver,an impact driver, and an impact wrench.
 13. A power tool comprising: atrigger for activating the power tool; a housing having a handle portionand a motor housing portion; a brushless direct current (DC) motorlocated within the motor housing portion and having a rotor and astator, wherein the rotor is coupled to a motor shaft to produce arotational output; a combined printed circuit board (PCB) havingcomponents exposed within the housing including a motor control unit andpower switching elements, wherein the combined PCB is positioned betweenthe trigger and the brushless DC motor, and wherein the motor controlunit controls the power switching elements to drive the brushless DCmotor; and a fan positioned on the motor shaft of the brushless DCmotor, wherein the fan is rotatable by the brushless DC motor togenerate a cooling air flow within the housing to cool the components ofthe combined PCB.
 14. The power tool of claim 13, further comprising aheat sink on a first side of the combined PCB for cooling the powerswitching elements, wherein the power switching elements are mounted ona second side of the combined PCB opposite the first surface.
 15. Thepower tool of claim 13, wherein the combined PCB has an elongated shape,with a rear portion adjacent to the brushless DC motor and a frontportion adjacent to a trigger of the power tool.
 16. The power tool ofclaim 13, further comprising a Hall sensor PCB positioned adjacent tothe brushless DC motor and including a Hall sensor that detects motorposition, the Hall sensor PCB being electrically coupled to the combinedPCB such that the Hall sensor is operable to output motor positioninformation to the motor control unit.
 17. The power tool of claim 13,wherein a mounting surface plane of the Hall sensor PCB is generallyperpendicular to a mounting surface plane of the combined PCB.
 18. Thepower tool of claim 13, wherein the power tool is one of a hammerdrill/driver, a drill/driver, and an impact driver.
 19. The power toolof claim 13, further comprising: a forward/reverse switch mounted on thecombined PCB; and a work light mounted on the combined PCB.
 20. Thepower tool of claim 13, wherein the power tool is an impact wrench.